Acetylene-gas generator.



N. GOODYEAR. AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED 00T.10, 1901. y N0 MODEL.

PATENTED SEPT. 8, 1903.

UNITED STATES Patented September 8, T903.

PATENT OFFICE.

NELSON GOODYEAR, OF FLUSHING, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO JQB. COLT COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEV YORK.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 738,432, dated September 8, 1903.

Application led October 10, 19.01. Serial No. 78,153. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, NELSON GOODYEAR, of Flushing, Long Island, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Generators, (Case IL) of which the following is aspecitication, accompanied by illustrative drawings.

The invention is particularly designed for, though not limited to, the production of acetylene gas from carbid.

The prime object of the invention is to produce a generator which may be safely and conveniently used with a small gasoineter, or preferably no gasometer at all, so as to economize space. Incidentally the generator is rendered more portable and convenient for use in cars, vehicles, yachts, and vessels.

In its most preferred and complete form of embodiment the invention comprises a waterholding generating-chamber above which a carbid-holder is supported, a carbid-feeding device connected with a diaphragm or eX- pansible portion of the apparatus, a reliefchamber or compensating reservoir into which water may be forced from the generating-chamber by excessive pressure, so as to relieve the gas-pressure, and from which the water may in returning cause a circulationV and stirring up of the Water in the generating-chamber and may also serve to prevent the formation of floating accumulations of partially-decomposed carbid, and a regulating-valve between the service-pipe and the generating-chamber,which serves to maintain a constant pressure in the service-pipe and at the same time to permit a certain range of pressure variation in the generating-chamber, by which range of pressure the carbidfeeding device may be controlled with certainty and precision. Thus the regulator permits a variation of several inches pressure in the generating-chamber and a constant variationin the gas-space within the generating-chamber which occurs when the Water is forced into or out ofthe relief-chamber. This variation of pressure acts upon and controls the carbid-feeding device and its diaphragm without disturbing the service-pressure.

Certain additional features will be best understood from the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is an outside view of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section. Fig. 3 is a plan View showing the parts in position when the carbid-feeding mechanism is locked, and Fig. 4 isa cross-section of the diaphragm and the stop for locking the diaphragm in its raised position.

The generating-chamber b and relief-chamber c are preferably formed as two compartments of a cylindrical shell or casing d. Above the generating-chamber b is the carbid-holderjthe carbid-feeding device orvalve g of Whichis connected with and operated by the rising-and-falling diaphragm 71, under the varying pressure of the gas. A pipemconnects the generating-chamber b and the carbidchamber. Atj is the service-pipe connection, the pressure in which is controlled by a regulator lt, so that an increase of pressure may take place Within the generatingchamber Without the pressure being relieved by the immediate escape of gas into the service-pipe j and so that also a constant pressure may be kept in the service-pipe. The relief-chamber c is open to the atmosphere at l and communicates with the generatingchamber b on one side by a depending pipe m, that extends down into the water in the chamber b, and on the other side by a U-shaped return-dow pipe p, the mouth of which is so directed as to allow the water pouring out of it to fall into the water in the chamber b and agitato the surface directly beneath the valve g. The pipe m is controlled by an automatic valve r, which is mounted to permit the free passage of Water up the pipe m, but to close and prevent any return through the pipe m. The U shape ofthe pipep prevents the escape of gas through the pipe from the chamber b. Vhen it is desired to prevent the generation of gas and to lock the valve g closed., a pivotal stop s, secured to the diaphragm h, is drawn up by hand, raising the diaphragm h and closing the valve g. It is then turned on its pivot, so as to rest above and engage the rim of a cap secured above the carbidholder. The rim t has notches u, which permit the stop s to pass freely up or down when turned to register with the notches u. To release the diaphragm, it is therefore only necessary to turn the stop s to the notches u and then allow'the diaphragm to fall to control the valve g.' At w is shown the iiushout connection closed by a plug; but the details are immaterial to the present invention.

The principles of operation of the apparatus are as follows: Supposing that the apparatus has been properly charged with carbid and water and that the regulator 7e is set for a pressure of three inches in the service-pipe, then the diaphragm h and valve g may be so constructed and weighted that the valve will be just on the point of opening when a pressure of, say, siX inches exists beneath the diaphragm, and the diaphragm may be adapted to operate under a range varying from three inches pressure up to twelve inches without producing any abnormal condition. Whenever the pressure in the generating-chamber falls much beneath six inches, the valve g opens and allows a small quantity of carbid to fall into the water, thereby almost instantly generating gas and causing an increase of pressure in the generating-chamber. This increase ofpressure of course closes the valve g by forcing up the diaphragm h, and the pressure cannot relieve itself or disturb the pressure in the service-pipe because of the regulator 7.5. When the relief-reservoir and watercirculating apparatus are employed as described, the excess of pressurein the generating-chamber forces the water up the pipe m until the dierence in water-level in the chambers b and c equals the gas-pressure in the chamber b. In accomplishing this result a very considerable volume of water may be forced up the pipe fm, increasing by an equal volume the gas capacity of the chamber b. As soon as the pressure is reduced by the drawing off of gas from the service-pipe the water in the chamber c pours back through the pipe p into the generatingchamber, and in so doing the jet of water falling on the surface of the water in the chamber b agitates and breaks the surface of the wat-er in the chamber and prevents the accumulation of floating masses of partiallydecomposed carbid.

Having now described the construction and principles of operation of the invention in its most preferred embodiment, I claim as the novel and distinctive features of the invention the following:

l. In combination in a gas-generator and with gas-actuated means for controllablygenerating the gas, a means for relieving pressure, comprising two connected water-holding chambers in only the lower of which the water is subjected to the` said pressure, and the upper of which'is connected therewith by a water-sealed pipe extending down beneath the working level of the water in the lower chamber, whereby water may be forced from the lower to the upper chamber under an eX- cess of pressure, a valve for preventing the return of the water through the same passage-way, and a separate passage-way for the return flow of the water, whereby a circulation of the water is produced.

2. In combination in a gas'generator and with gas-actuated means for controllably generating the gas, a means for relieving pressure, comprising two connected water-holdin g chambers in only the lower of which the water is subjected to the said pressure, and the upper of which is connected therewith by a water-sealed pipe extending down beneath the working level'of the water'iri the lower chamber, whereby water may be forced from the lower to the upper chamber under an excess of pressure, a valve for preventing the return of the water through the salue passage-way, and a separate passage-way for the return flow of the water, discharging above the level in the lower chamber whereby the surface is agitated.

3. In combination in a gas-generator, gasactuated means for generating the gas, comprising a water-holding generatingchamber, a carbid-holder situate above it, a movable gas-actuated diaphragm and carbid-feeding device connected to be moved by the diaphragm, anda reliefchamber into which the water is forced by excess of pressure, a service connection, and a regulator between the service-pipe and the generating-chamber, whereby the carbid-feeding mechanism may control the generation of gas within a certain range of pressure variation and while the service-pipe pressure may be substantially constant.

4. In combination in a gas-generator, gasactuated means for generating the gas, comprising a water-holding generating-chamber, a carbid-holder situate above it, a movable gas-actuated diaphragm and carbid-feeding device connected to be moved by the diaphragm and a relief-chamber into which the water is forced by excess of pressure, a connection for the return flow of the water, a service connection, and a regulator between the servicepipe and the generating-chamber, whereby the carbid-feeding mechanism may control the generation of gas within a certain range of pressure variation and while the service-pipe pressure may be substantially constant, substantially as set forth.

Signed this 8th day of October, 1901, at New York', N. Y.

NELSON GOODYEAR.

Witnesses:

W. I-I. TURNER, H. W. KEELER.

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